The Co-operative Group has been unveiled as a team supporter of the British Athletics Para team and a national partner of the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.
To mark the occasion, the Group unveiled a “Support our Heroes” mosaic for the team, featuring Paralympians Richard Whitehead, Carly Tait and Sam Ruddock.
The mosaic will be used as a digital image for the public to upload messages of support before and during the championships, held from 14-23 July – opening the Summer of World Athletics at the London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
It is one of several support activities the retailer will be carrying out as a team supporter, with a ‘Co-op Local Heroes’ tour planned after the championships.
Richard Whitehead, a double Paralympic T42 200m gold medalist, said: “It is fantastic to have the support of the Co-op as we build up to the biggest World Para Athletics Championships ever.
“After the team’s success in Rio, there is a real buzz among the athletes and we all cannot wait to compete in front of our home fans at the London Stadium.
“I personally have wonderful memories from the Paralympic Games at London 2012, particularly the support we received from the great British public. I hope people will back the ‘Support the Heroes’ mosaic and upload their messages to the team – it really does make a difference to the athletes.”
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UK Athletics chief executive and London 2017 Championship director Niels de Vos said: “We are delighted to welcome the Co-op as both a team supporter and as a national partner.
“There is continuing support and enthusiasm for Para Athletics among the great British public and these partnerships reflect that.”
As a national partner of the championships, the Group will be providing British-sourced meals to the entire workforce.
Peter Batt, divisional managing director of the Group, added: “Having supported our colleague, Paralympian Carly Tait in Rio, and witnessed the huge support for her across the Co-op, it was a natural step to extend our support and involvement to this year’s London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.
“We really want to encourage the British public to get behind our athletes so I hope everyone will join us by uploading personal messages and pictures of support on our digital message board, the ‘Support our Heroes’ mosaic.”
